It has come to my attention that a number of visitors found my blog while searching for information on "dowager's hump." So, I'm back with the rest of the story. Thanks to Garry Adkins for his expertise and enthusiasm, and for his trusty camera.
As described in my CTS post in July, Garry told me that I had the beginnings of a dowager's hump, which I vehemently denied. "See me during break," he said. Ohmigod, I thought, teacher wants to make an example of me! Indeed, and thank goodness for that.
During break, Garry aimed his camera at me and asked me to stand as I normally stand. Ha! I thought with a silent snicker. Okay, mister, okay. Watch me! So I stood erect. I felt happy that day, positive, confident, and certain that my posture was pretty darn good. Behold my "pretty darn good" posture:
With one hand on my back and one hand on my upper chest, Garry instructed me to tilt my torso up and back, and then he told me to pretend someone was pulling my head straight up to the sky. That’s it. Fewer than ten seconds passed between the two photos:
Just let your eyes bounce back and forth between the two. Amazing, isn't it? Compare my shoulders, rounded and slumped on the left, up and firm on the right; my "hump" is hardly a hump on the right; my jawline appears more pronounced on the right, and my neck longer. Take a look, too, at the angle of my chest; clearly, the lady on the left is saggy, whereas the lady on the right is pert near perky. Most amazing to me is the difference in my line of vision.
Garry said nothing about my eyes or my line of vision, nor did I give it a single thought at the time. The direction of my gaze was as it was, a natural result of my posture:
What an impact these photos have had on me! Two months later, and I still catch myself slouching, but it is no longer bothersome to correct my posture. What a joy to lift my head and straighten my spine, to feel my body rise, thereby creating my own uplifting experience everyday.
Upright posture is addicting.
On the advice of a certain Certified Personal Trainer I know and love: If your posture is way out of whack, don't try to correct it all at once and without additional training. It takes time. Strengthen your core, practice yoga, get a massage. Consult your physician before starting any exercise routine.
iVillage: Stop Slouching!
As described in my CTS post in July, Garry told me that I had the beginnings of a dowager's hump, which I vehemently denied. "See me during break," he said. Ohmigod, I thought, teacher wants to make an example of me! Indeed, and thank goodness for that.
During break, Garry aimed his camera at me and asked me to stand as I normally stand. Ha! I thought with a silent snicker. Okay, mister, okay. Watch me! So I stood erect. I felt happy that day, positive, confident, and certain that my posture was pretty darn good. Behold my "pretty darn good" posture:
With one hand on my back and one hand on my upper chest, Garry instructed me to tilt my torso up and back, and then he told me to pretend someone was pulling my head straight up to the sky. That’s it. Fewer than ten seconds passed between the two photos:
Just let your eyes bounce back and forth between the two. Amazing, isn't it? Compare my shoulders, rounded and slumped on the left, up and firm on the right; my "hump" is hardly a hump on the right; my jawline appears more pronounced on the right, and my neck longer. Take a look, too, at the angle of my chest; clearly, the lady on the left is saggy, whereas the lady on the right is pert near perky. Most amazing to me is the difference in my line of vision.
Garry said nothing about my eyes or my line of vision, nor did I give it a single thought at the time. The direction of my gaze was as it was, a natural result of my posture:
What an impact these photos have had on me! Two months later, and I still catch myself slouching, but it is no longer bothersome to correct my posture. What a joy to lift my head and straighten my spine, to feel my body rise, thereby creating my own uplifting experience everyday.
Upright posture is addicting.On the advice of a certain Certified Personal Trainer I know and love: If your posture is way out of whack, don't try to correct it all at once and without additional training. It takes time. Strengthen your core, practice yoga, get a massage. Consult your physician before starting any exercise routine.
iVillage: Stop Slouching!
